2011 5.0 upgrade question

flafan15 · Feb 24, 2011

So i have the 2011 5.0...I want the Steeda CAI and tune. Im thinking about getting BBK shorty headers, with a BBK X-pipe, keeping my stock CAT. I cant decide what exhaust i want though. Lets say i get the Steeda Axle back...will all this work together? How much additional HP/torque am i looking at? Any suggestions with anything that will work better? better sounding?

sc55509 · Feb 24, 2011

Honestly from what I have heard about the new headers for the 5.0 they don't add a whole lot of hp for how much they cost.

xXFallout · Feb 24, 2011

ENNNNN nahhhh. Go with long tubed headers. But youll have to go with a shorty x pipe. I have stock headers and a Magnaflow cat back and x pipe. love it. that set up is about 30+ whp.

Really alot of power isn't really lost with our stock cat's. It's turning out to be piping Diameter.

1999cobra92 · Feb 24, 2011

Defenitely go with longtubes and get a catless midpipe and have the stock cats put on the new midpipe and as for the axle back it's all you depend on what you like

tallguy2.3 · Feb 24, 2011

If you are set on keeping your cat, then just go with a full cat-back with an x-pipe.

If I was deciding which cat-back I wanted I would visit Youtube with the best computer speakers I could find and just listen to different options.

flafan15 · Feb 25, 2011

Ok, so lets say i get American Racing Headers. then a shorty x-pipe, im assuming i would keep my cats, then get a cat-back system i like right? sound correct? or am i missing something.

JakeM · Feb 25, 2011

You are missing something. By getting ARH headers you will either have to get a mid-pipe with cats from them or an off road mid-pipe because your factory cats and mid-pipe is not compatible with ARH Long Tubes. Then, if you don't like the way this setup sounds, you would replace your factory catback.

Morty8833 · Feb 25, 2011

I dont mean to thread jack but I also have a question about the exhaust. I have the Bassani X-pipe/Axle backs. I would have like to have a whole catback system but I was to impatient to wait and save up. I want to get better power gains but dont want to fork out all the money for a catback. My question is: If I take it to a shop and have them weld in 3" pipes connecting my x-pipe to my axlebacks will I essentially get the same results as the catback system? Will I see any gains with this? Then later on I can add headers to this. Thoughts anyone?

swervo · Feb 25, 2011

JPC makes pipes that should connect up to your x pipe and goes over the axle to connect to your axleback.

101fng · Feb 25, 2011

why not just get 4" exhaust. bigger is better

xXFallout · Feb 25, 2011

tallguy2.3 · Feb 25, 2011

OP- if you are keeping the cats, just go with a catback system. Only replace the headers if you plan on leaving no cats...unturned? ha. (Like leaving no stone unturned...)

Morty8833 · Feb 26, 2011

Well im from CA and stationed in VA so if I ever plan on going back to CA then I have to leave the cats.

Still no one has really answered my question. Is it even worth the money to have the pipes replaced with a 3" at this point?

xXFallout · Feb 26, 2011

What you should do is call bassani, to see if they will sell you the piping from the cat's to the mufflers. So technicly you have a true bassani cat back. See if they do that ( I know magnaflow does it.) and see how much the price is. If it's more expensive then the shop qoted you go with the shop.

'11 5.0 · Feb 26, 2011

I just completed my setup this winter and I couldn't be happier. I went with the ARH Long Tube Headers, catted X-pipe and Magna flow catback exhaust. Sounds means and really woke the beast up. Nick over at ARH has done a lot of testing on the 5.0 and header selection makes a difference. A couple main points.

- Shorties are worthless on these engines, very minimal gain over stock for the work
- Long Tubes need to have 1 7/8" primaries, the 5.0 likes to breath
- The factory mid-pipe is very restrictive, should be replaced if doing any exhaust work.

Like they say proof is in the pudding.
- My GT stock 13.2@107mph
- Steeda CAI and Evolution Performance Tune 12.3@115mph
- Steeda CAI, Evolution Performance Tune, ARH LT headers, X-pipe, magna flow catback exhaust, UPR upper and lower control arms, pan hard bar - TBD (on April 8th) Hoping for 11.7-11.9@118mph

xXFallout · Feb 26, 2011

What did you use for the cat's, high flow ones? Or a cated x-pipe?

'11 5.0 · Feb 26, 2011

I used high flow cats that came with the ARH header kit. The kit also came with the X-pipe. Keeping the factory cats were not an option with long tube headers, plus they are way too restrictive.

erod550 · Feb 27, 2011

A tuner should be one of the first things you buy if you're going to mod. I don't think anyone is going to install headers without a tuner. You're leaving power on the table and in many cases the car won't even run right without one after installing certain parts.

flafan15 · Feb 27, 2011

Thanks guys, i think ive figured all this out...ill let yall know how it works out...

2011 5.0 upgrade question

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